>> it was 1954 when ruth alpern met bernie madoff in queens, new york. >> i just saw him, and i was sort of swept away, i think. >> she married him at age 18. they had two sons: mark, then andrew. bernie was building up his money management business. a typical middle-class family living on long island. >> we were both solid parents and valued our family and so proud of our boys. it was a dream, really. >> exactly when bernie madoff went wrong is unclear. but as his reputation for delivering steady profits grew, the madoffs began living the good life. a penthouse in manhattan, homes in palm beach and the south of france, and yachts in both places. >> he was a big figure in the industry. he was the chairman of nasdaq. he was constantly being honored as "man of the year" of this organization and that. and that--that had an effect on me. >> both sons went to work as traders for their father's firm in the late '80s, a time authorities believe madoff's ponzi scheme was well under way. why would your father want to taint his sons by bringing into a situation that could, well, spell disaster? >>